Edmonton's Zebra Centre sees big jump in child abuse cases
Edmonton's Zebra Child Protection Centre, which supports victims of abuse as their cases work through the legal system, saw a 22-per-cent increase in its caseload from 2017 to 2018.
More than 2,000 children accessed the centre's services in 2018.
Cheryl Diebel, CEO, attributes the increase to people being better informed about child abuse and being able to recognize it and then report it.
"We think that's really what's motivating the increase in reporting and cases coming through our door," Diebel said.
"It's not necessarily an increase in actual abuse happening within the community."
Children who come to the centre are paired up with an advocate, who will guide them through the police investigation and court process related to their case.
The Zebra Centre also facilitates police interviews in a child-friendly setting and offers victims trauma counselling.
The higher caseload is straining the non-profit's resources and the centre is relying more heavily on its 100-or-so volunteers, Diebel said.
"They're really so much of the backbone of what we do and the advocacy that we do for kids."
About 70 per cent of the Zebra Centre's budget is provided by the province, with the remainder raised through fundraising.
"When I see the numbers growing year over year, it's hard to see and it's hard to digest," said Emma Wynters, co-founder of Ladies on the Green, a yearly event that raises money for the organization.
"But at the same time it makes me proud that we're able to send so many more children through this centre and that those services are being utilized."
Wynter is hoping to raise $125,000 through the golf charity event, held July 18 at Edmonton's Victoria Golf Course.
The centre is expanding to offer more trauma treatment services and will eventually have to expand again to accommodate the growing demand, Diebel said.
"It's something that we can't avoid."
Volunteers and staff will often support a child and their family for years, witnessing a positive change in their lives, Diebel said.
"You see them relax and you see them let go of that anxiety and fear. That's when you know that we're having the impact that we want to have."
